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The mind is the ultimate weapon, but the soul of the fighter fuels the action.enTue, 14 Aug 2018 20:04:45 GMTvBulletin60http://www.warriortalk.com/images/SeamusLight/misc/rss.pngWarrior Talk Forums - The Warrior Mindsethttp://www.warriortalk.com/
Lessons Learned: Law Enforcement Survival Toolhttp://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?139455-Lessons-Learned-Law-Enforcement-Survival-Tool&goto=newpost
Thu, 02 Aug 2018 22:48:54 GMTI've been around a while. I've been with two agencies and most of my career has been on the investigative side or management of the investigative side. I'll be the first to admit I've let the detective life-style and night shift affect my physical performance. Can I shoot? Can I kill? Yes, absolutely, but I certainly need to do more in the physical aspect of the job.

Lesson Learned by the Conscious Watch Commander:

1. Fights Can Last!

I was on a dead body call out in the desert and heard over the radio two precint level detectives would be en-route to assist Patrol Division with the dead body while we waited for Homicide. It was Thursday, but it wasn't after 1700, so they weren't going to respond until they'd hit overtime status. I check the computer and saw precint detectives had been in a neighboring desert town for a fight involving two deputies and a few suspects. As I read the call for service I noted the two deputies had been transported to the hospital "for exhaustion." "For exhaustion?" I wondered. I called the Detective Sergeant and asked what that meant. It turned out two deputies got in a fight with a few guys and the fight went on for several minutes. Both suspects were transported for getting their asses kicked, but the deputies had to get transported too for physical exhaustion. I thought to myself that was rather an embarassing reason to get transported. A knife or gunshot wound - that'd get you free drinks or a meal from the squad, but not "exhaustion."

2. Fights Can Really Last!

I responded with the rest of the law enforcement world last week to a 999 kicked out by an agency with officers involved in a fight. Ultimately an officer was killed and two hurt. The fight lasted eight minutes.

Lesson Learned: Fights Last!

It has taken me a long time to re-realize - re-realize since we already knew it - that law enforcement is an intellectual pursuit and yes, there's shooting involved. We get to shoot people and use tools. However, recent events have made me re-realize that law enforcement is also an "ATHLETIC" pursuit and regarless of rank or duty assignment we must be physically prepared to withstand a protracted physical engagement.

So, to that end, I put down the law enforcement tools I was long comfortable and associate with and picked up a new tool. See below:

I'm not perfect, but I go to the gym and work on lifting heavy things. I'm not willing to let any of my guys get hurt because I couldn't perform. I'm also not willing to let my kids be without a father because I couldn't perform at work. My wife - she'll just remarry so that's ok.

There are situations where we have to shoot and kill. However, we must ensure we're able to get to those situations and physically survive the engagement. An eight minute fight? Yes, they happen. Not being prepared would be irresponsible.